KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 30): Pharmaniaga Bhd said it has set up a task force as it gears up to distribute the Covid-19 vaccine, which is expected to be available at the end of the first quarter next year, nationwide.

Pharmaniaga group managing director Datuk Zulkarnain Md Eusope said the group's wholly-owned subsidiary Pharmaniaga Logistics Sdn Bhd (PLSB) has 26 solid years of vaccine logistics and distribution experience that covers constant temperature requirement for both -20°C and between 2°C-8°C, and it vows to give utmost priority to the compliance of the temperature requirement of the upcoming Covid-19 vaccine to ensure its continued quality, safety and efficacy.

"Vaccine transportation is not like any other drug as any temperature breach out of the allowed range will impact its efficacy. In order to manage this, especially with the delivery challenge to remote locations in Sabah and Sarawak, Pharmaniaga has perfected the transportation medium and the process complies [with] the Good Distribution Practice (GDP) requirements.

"Each of the box will be sealed together with a temperature monitoring device which allows the customers to verify the temperature compliance. On top of that, the delivery vehicles are equipped with Internet of Things devices which allow us to monitor the vehicles' movement, arrival time as well as the temperature.

"We note that Pfizer's vaccine requires ultra-cold temperature of -70°C, thus the frozen pre-filled syringes will be delivered in thermal shippers which are filled with dry ice to maintain ultra-cold temperature," said Zulkarnain.

He added that other Covid-19 vaccine manufacturers such as Moderna Inc require -20°C temperature compliance.

The government has recently signed agreement to purchase enough doses of Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine to inoculate 6.4 million Malaysians.

"Majority of other vaccine manufacturers have announced standard temperature requirements of 2°C to 8°C. This brings about the need for the high volume of vaccines to be managed in compliance to GDP requirements and the specifications set by the vaccine manufacturers," he said.

Zulkarnain said Pharmaniaga's current warehouses in Bukit Raja Shah Alam, Juru, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching have cold chain facilities with environmental monitoring system and backup power to ensure the vaccines are safe for use. In addition, all these warehouses have been licensed to handle cold chain products by National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency, and the facilities are continuously enhanced.

"We note the possibility that hospitals' stores will have major constraints if a big volume of Covid-19 vaccine arrives beyond their storage capacity. On this aspect, Pharmaniaga is looking at Just-in-Time-based delivery system to ensure smooth and orderly vaccination and stock replenishment," he said.

Shares in Pharmaniaga closed six sen or 1.08% lower to RM5.50, for a market capitalisation of RM1.44 billion.